Selective starch feeding protocol

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/465,390, filed on May 13, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,689, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/068,410, filed on Feb. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,550,172, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional No. 60/548,848, filed on Feb. 27, 2004, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of feeding ruminants in lactation, and in particular, it relates to methods for optimizing milk production and dry matter intake.

For purposes of this application, the word ruminant will be used to refer to those animals in the suborder of Ruminantia. The most important ruminants are those domesticated animals that fall in the family of Bovidae.

Of particular interest are domesticated cows which are invaluable in supplying milk and meat to the population of most industrialized countries. Milk production in these countries has shifted from small farms to herds that number in the thousands on one farm. Also the business of milk production has become very competitive. In order to stay profitable, farmers have had to optimize the amount of milk produced. Profits are realized more readily when feed is utilized efficiently and when cows produce their maximum amount of milk.

To better understand how to make cows produce more milk, their lactation cycle along with their gastrointestinal system has been studied greatly. There are numerous patents, published patent applications and literature references that describe various feed formulations in an attempt to increase milk production.

Milk secretion in dairy cows is primarily limited by glucose uptake. Nonstructural carbohydrates have been used in attempts to increase milk production. Such nonstructural carbohydrates include starches, soluble sugars and other reserved carbohydrates. Starches are of particular importance since starch in the form of grains such as corn, sorghum, oats, wheat and the like can be purchased at economical prices or grown by the dairy farmer. Starch includes both amylose and amylopectin molecules which are in turn synthesized to glucose for availability to the lactating cow.

However, the dynamics of the ruminant gastrointestinal system are such that when larger quantities of starch are fed, the larger quantities affect the operation of the rumen which in turn affects milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) which in turn affects body maintenance of the cow. Large quantities of starch as a percentage of DMI may result in undesirable pH changes in the rumen which in turn affect microbial activity. Such microbial activity is necessary to digest structural carbohydrates (dry matter) in the rumen. Much has been written about site digestion of starch, how much occurs in the rumen and how much of the undigested starch passes to the abomasum and small intestine and what the affects are on overall milk production. Review of the prior art indicates no specific solution.

Thus the dilemma results of how to increase milk production since to increase more glucose, more starch intake is required which in turn affects rumen performance, and depresses dry matter intake and milk production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method for improving milk production and dry matter intake in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

After approximately 180 days from parturition, the digestible starch component may also be adjusted to an equal or lesser amount in relation to the dry matter of the feed and fed to the ruminant for the remainder of the lactation cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a graphical view of milk production comparing treatments 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 is a graphical view of fat corrected milk comparing treatments 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a graphical view of milk fat production comparing treatments 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 4 is a graphical view of fat yield comparing treatments 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 5 is a graphical view of percent protein in milk production comparing treatments 2, 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes a method of increasing milk production or dry matter intake or both of a ruminant. The method also includes manipulating milk component synthesis such as protein, fat, fatty acids and lactose. It has been found that by timing the levels of starch intake in relation to dry matter intake (DMI) results in more efficient use of feed in terms of milk production and DMI.

In the first 12 to 30 days (Phase I) in milk (DIM) a higher portion of starch in relation to dry matter in the feed has been found to be beneficial for higher milk production and dry matter intake. After the first approximately 21 to 30 DIM (Phase II), it also has been found that high levels of starch had negative effects on dry matter intake. After approximately six months (180 days) DIM (Phase III), the starch as a percentage of dry matter may be adjusted as needed until the lactation cycle is over.

Levels of starch in Phase I include approximately 14 to 22 weight percent of ruminally digestible starch, and preferably 14 to 20 weight percent and most preferably 16 to 18 weight percent of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter content of the feed. Phase II includes 12 to 20 weight percent of ruminally digestible starch, preferably 10 to 18 weight percent and most preferably 10 to 16 weight percent of ruminally digestible starch component in relation to the dry matter of the feed with the selected value of ruminally digestible starch component in Phase II being less than in Phase I. The approximate range of ruminally digestible starch component to dry matter in the feed in Phase III is in the approximate range of 7 to 22 weight percent with the actual amount chosen in Phase III being equal, more or less than in Phase II, depending on the energy needs of the animal.

Ruminally digestible starch or starch component refers to those carbohydrate fractions that are digested, degraded, solubilized or otherwise broken down to another form in the rumen. Such starch or starch component includes both starch and sugars. Ruminally digestible starch may also be included within other ruminally digestible carbohydrate fractions, including but not limited to non-fiber carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, soluble carbohydrates, soluble fiber, as well as their inverse measurements: fiber carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates, insoluble carbohydrates, insoluble fiber when such other ruminally digestible carbohydrate fractions are used. Adjustments of these other fractions are less precise and therefore less precise results occur.

Determination of the amount of starch component that is digestible in the rumen is done by any number of methods. The rate and extent of ruminal digestibility of starch component may be determined in vivo through the use of duodenal cannulas. Digestibility of the starch component may also be done in vitro using ruminal fluids. In situ measurements of samples in porous bags deposited within the rumen through surgically placed ports is yet another method. Tabular values or values predicted by computerized animal models of ruminally digestible starch component are available and may also be used. Real time measurements of rumen starch digestibility may also be taken using near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. In addition to spectroscopy, spectrophotometric methods that measure absorption, reflectance or transmission of electromagnetic radiation are also within the scope of the present invention.

A nonexhaustive list of sources for the starch component includes: corn grain, corn silage, corn gluten feed, corn germ meal, corn starch, corn byproducts, sorghum grain, sorghum silage, sorghum byproducts, wheat grain, wheat silage, wheat bran, red dog wheat, wheat germ, wheat flour, wheat middlings, wheat byproducts, barley grain, barley silage, barley byproducts, oat grain, oat silage, oat byproducts, bakery byproducts, hominy feed, peas, brewers grains, distillers grains, malt sprouts, rice, rice bran, rice flour, other rice byproducts, cereal feed, sucrose, lactose, glucose, dextrose, or maltose or any combination thereof. In addition other starch sources such as tubers including but not limited to potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca) and arrow root are also suitable.

The starch component may be processed in a number of ways. As used herein in relation to the starch component the terms “processed” or “process” means grinding, steam flaking, steam rolling, extrusion and/or chemically or physically protecting the starch from ruminal digestibility or any other known method of treatment. Chemically or physically protecting the starch component includes but is not limited to aldehyde treatment, heat treatments, resins, binders or coatings. The purpose of processing the starch component is to adjust the rate and extent of ruminal digestibility needed or desired for the particular Phase, either Phase I, II or III.

The rumen digestibility of the starch component may also be manipulated by combining different proportions of the starch sources described previously and/or the types of processing techniques to reach the needed ruminal digestibility value for the particular Phase. The rumen digestibility value needed is determined by the desired outcome, whether it is to maximize milk production, manipulate milk component (protein, fat, fatty acids or lactose content) synthesis and/or maximize DMI. Once the rumen digestibility value of the starch component is chosen, the feed is formulated and fed according to the descriptions of Phase I, II and III as follows:

-   -   Phase I: The starch and sugar sources are combined together in a         manner to achieve ruminally digestible starch within the         approximate range of 14 to 20 weight percent as a percentage of         DMI. The selected value in this range being selected to optimize         DMI and milk component yield into Phase II, while still         maximizing the intake of energy and other essential nutrients         needed by the animal in Phase I.     -   Phase II: The starch and sugar sources are combined together in         a manner to achieve a ruminally digestible starch that is less         in quantity than in Phase I but within the approximate range of         10 to 18 weight percent as a percentage of DMI. The selected         value being selected to optimize DMI and milk component yield         while still maximizing the intake of energy and other essential         nutrients needed by the animal during Phase II.     -   Phase III: The starch and sugar sources are combined together in         a manner to achieve a quantity of ruminally digestible starch         which can be less, equal to or more than the value selected in         Phase II but within the approximate range of 7 to 22 weight % as         a percentage of DMI. The selected value being chosen to optimize         DMI and milk component yield, while still managing the energy         intake to meet the requirements of energy and other essential         nutrients needed by the animal during Phase III.

To determine the optimum milk production, milk component content and/or DMI for a particular herd of lactating cows and for the type of structural carbohydrate being used in the feed, initial experiments were done to monitor the responses desired. After monitoring responses for example of milk component synthesis and DMI to the initial feeds fed in Phases I, II and III, adjustments are made to the starch component to reach the optimum level of DMI and milk component synthesis as follows:

-   -   Increasing the amount of ruminally digestible starch component         if milk fat synthesis is high (greater than approximately 3.6         weight percent) and milk protein synthesis is low (less than 3.0         weight percent).     -   Decreasing the amount of ruminally digestible starch component         if milk fat synthesis is low (less than approximately 3.6 weight         percent), milk protein synthesis is high (greater than         approximately 3.0 weight percent) and DMI is low.

The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1 Objective

To determine the influence of the timing, processing and source of starch feeding on performance of cows in early lactation.

Materials and Methods

Three weeks before anticipated calving, cows were moved to a close-up dry cow facility and fed a diet of (a dry matter (DM) basis): 32.5% corn silage, 32.5% grass hay and 35% Ration BR1 (Table 3) While cows were in the close-up pens, the following information was collected daily:

a. Number of cows in each pen

b. Total mixed ration (TMR) offered

c. TMR weighed back

d. A blood sample was collected 1 week prior to expected calving.

Each week individual composites of corn silage were constructed from individual samples collected each day, Monday through Friday. Each daily subsample was added on top of one another in a large container with a tight lid (the corn silage was kept frozen between sampling). On Friday, the corn silage composite was analyzed for DM determination. Furthermore, individual samples of alfalfa hay, grass hay, close-up ration and each milking ration were collected once per week and composited monthly. At the end of each month, the composite samples (1 each for corn silage, alfalfa hay, grass hay and each ration) were submitted for nutrient analysis.

As the cows calved, the cows were moved into a Tie Stall Unit and assigned, according to the attached schedules (Tables 1 and 2), to rations A or B for the first 3 weeks. Beginning the fourth week post-calving, cows were moved to rations C, D or E, as shown below.

TABLE 1 Treatment I.D. 0 to 3 weeks post-calving 4 to 12 weeks post-calving 1 Diet A Diet C 2 Diet B Diet C 3 Diet B Diet D 4 Diet B Diet E

Cows removed from the study were replaced with the next available animal of similar parity (primiparous vs. multiparous).

TABLE 2 Diets Diet A Diet B Diet C Diet D Diet E Ingredients % of Diet DM Ration A 48 Ration B 48 Ration C 55 Ration D 55 Ration E 55 Corn Silage N48-V8 26 26 22.5 22.5 22.5 Alfalfa Hay 26 26 22.5 22.5 22.5

TABLE 3 Ration Component Ration A Ration B Ration C Ration D Ration E BRI Main Formula 38% Beef Tallow Nugget 7.9808 7.9808 10.2778 4.4973 7.2742 Sub-Total 7.9808 7.9808 10.2778 4.4973 7.2742 Premix Checker Super Fine Ground Corn 25.4983 Protected Soybean Meal 5.0997 5.0997 Ground Corn Fine 51.6133 26.1150 33.4016 55.5244 26.3836 24.6867 Ground Milo 26.5121 Ground Soybean Hulls 28.0829 9.7364 10.3949 42.1695 Dehulled Soymeal 28.9721 28.9721 22.5352 24.4129 23.4422 25.1685 Calcium Carbonate 1.6343 1.6343 1.1873 1.4895 1.5127 1.8251 Dicalcium Phosphate 0.9826 0.9826 1.2443 1.0474 1.1952 0.7916 Salt 0.9643 0.9643 0.8433 0.8358 0.8406 0.6632 Urea 1.0199 1.0199 0.8920 0.8840 0.8891 1.2159 Liquid Fat 0.9367 0.9367 0.8192 0.8119 0.8165 Molasses 2.0015 Magnesium Oxide 51 0.2497 0.2497 0.2173 0.2346 0.2321 0.9327 Mag-Pot-Sulfate 0.1639 0.1639 0.2015 0.2282 0.2090 0.0086 Sub-Total 91.6365 91.6365 89.4247 95.2051 92.4281 99.4633 Micro 1 Ground Corn Fine 0.1700 0.1700 0.1270 0.1287 0.1278 0.2045 VIT A 0.0281 0.0281 0.0177 0.0175 0.0176 0.0321 VIT E 0.0247 0.0247 0.0156 0.0154 0.0155 0.0771 VIT D 0.0107 0.0107 0.0068 0.0067 0.0067 0.0110 Selenium 0.0918 0.0918 0.0803 0.0796 0.0800 0.1094 Trace Min D 0.0574 0.0574 0.0502 0.0497 0.0500 0.1026 Sub-Total 0.3827 0.3827 0.2975 0.2976 0.2977 0.5367 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

All diets were fed as TMR's, ad libitum, to achieve a 5-10% daily weighback.

Dry matter content of corn silage was determined weekly and “as fed” proportions changed if moisture varied by more than 2%.

TABLE 4 Sampling Schedule (Dry Cows - Prior to Parturition): Parameter Sampling Schedule TMR Offered, weight Daily (no sample) TMR Weighed Back, weight Daily (no sample) Number of cows in each pen Daily Body Condition score Weekly, 2 independent scores Health data Daily Ration DC475BR1 Sampled weekly, composite monthly Grass Hay Sampled weekly, composite monthly Blood samples 1 week pre-calving

TABLE 5 Sampling Schedule (Lactating Cows): Parameter Sampling Schedule Milk Production Daily - am/pm Milk Composition p.m. Monday - Friday TMR Offered, weight Daily (no sample) TMR Weighed Back, weight Daily (no sample) Body Weight Twice daily Body Condition Score Weekly, 2 independent scores Corn Silage Sampled daily, composite monthly Alfalfa Hay Sampled weekly, composite monthly Milking Rations Sampled weekly, composite monthly Blood samples Day 0, 2 and wk 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 Reproductive data/health Daily records

Health and reproductive status: A daily record of all calving and reproductive events, as well as disorders and removals from the study were maintained.

Blood Sampling: Two separate samples of blood were collected from the tail vein into red and black-top tubes (beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), triglyceride and normal blood chemistry panel analyses; serum) and gray-top tubes (non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and lactate analyses; plasma), respectively. The gray-top sample was placed in an ice-water bath immediately after collection. The red-top tube was held at room temperature. Blood sampling during the dry period was conducted weekly with any cows eligible for sampling during that week sampled on a single day so that sampling, sample processing and analyses could be consolidated.

Blood sampling post-calving was as follows: If a cow gave birth on the weekend, a gray-top tube was not be collected for the 0 day sample. Regarding the day 2 blood sample: Where cows calf between the days of Saturday and Wednesday, the samples were taken on day 2 post-calving. Cows calving on Thursday were sampled on Friday afternoon and cows calving on Friday were sampled on Monday morning. Beginning with the week 1 blood sample, the sampling of the cows giving birth the previous Saturday were sampled on Friday, while the cows giving birth the previous Sunday were sampled on Monday.

Discussion

Results of observations of early lactation, mid-lactation and metabolism studies (4750 observations) indicated that the negative effects of high levels of starch on dry matter intake seemed to appear after 30 DIM, peaked around 100 DIM and subsided around 180 DIM (although there were fewer data past 180 DIM). This suggests that there are advantages to obtaining a lesser proportion of ME intake from starch as cows approach 100 DIM. Alternatively, using sources of starch that have a slower rate, but similar extent, of digestion, compared with corn, may obviate the DMI depression.

This example was designed to look at the timing of starch feeding (before verses after 21 DIM). During the first 3 weeks after calving, cows were fed higher corn diets, where the corn was either in flour or fine ground form, to test the hypothesis that a more rapid propionate fermentation may cause a down regulation of tissue mobilization, reducing blood NEFA levels and the incidence of ketosis. After 3 weeks, cows were changed over to either low (20%) or high (28%) starch diets. The high starch diet had either all the supplemental starch in the form of fine ground corn or a 50% replacement with milo (which has a lower rate of starch fermentation).

Phase I (0-3 weeks post calving)

-   -   There were no significant effects by treatment on milk         production, fat corrected milk production, protein percent or         yield, fat percent or yield or average daily gain (ADG) (See         Table 6)     -   DMI tended to be depressed (P<0.09) by the corn flour treatment         (Table 6)     -   However, despite this lack of effect by treatment during the         period imposed (0-3 weeks post-calving), there was a tendency         for a carryover effect into Phase II (4-12 weeks post-calving.         See Table 7) on improving milk production by approximately 2         kg/day (P<0.18, Table 7).

TABLE 6 Milk production, milk components and dry matter intake results (Weeks 1-3) Fine Ground Fine Ground Standard Week 1-3 Corn Flour Error Number Cows Finished 23 66 Milk Kg/head/day 34.8 35.3 0.907 Fat Corrected Milk Kg/head/day 34.2 34.3 0.942 Milk Fat % 3.93 3.84 0.0818 Fat Kg/head/day 1.35 1.34 0.0437 Protein % 3.41 3.39 0.0560 Protein Kg/head/day 1.16 1.18 0.0267 Dry Matter Intake Kg 15.28 14.44 0.351 Body Score 3.06 2.94 0.0646

TABLE 7 Milk production, milk components and dry matter intake results (Weeks 4-12) Fine Ground Fine Ground Standard Week 4-12 Corn Flour Error Number Cows Finished 23 22 Milk Kg/head/day 42.1 44.0 0.999 Fat Corrected Milk Kg/head/day 35.0 36.3 0.871 Milk Fat % 2.89 2.87 0.0782 Fat Kg/head/day 1.21 1.25 0.0410 Protein % 2.83 2.83 0.0330 Protein Kg/head/day 1.19 1.24 0.0278 Average Daily Gain Kg 0.078 0.191 0.0917 Dry Matter Intake Kg 20.7 21.0 0.434 Body Score 2.69 2.55 0.0515 Phase II (4-12 Weeks Post Calving)

All cows were on a common diet for the first 3 weeks. Consequently, there were not (and should not have been) any significant differences in production. When half the corn in treatment 3 was replaced with milo in Treatment 4, fat corrected milk (FCM) production was significantly improved by 2.6 kg/day (P<0.01). (Table 8) When half the corn in treatment 3 was replaced with milo in treatment 4, milk fat percentage was improved by 0.34 percentage units, and milk fat yield was improved by 0.18 kg/day (P<0.01), while milk protein percentage and yield remained relatively unchanged. When half the corn in treatment 3 was replaced with milo in treatment 4, dry matter intake (DMI) was improved by 1.0 kg/day (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in DMI, milk production or milk components, between treatments 2 and 4, suggesting that a high starch diet can perform as well as an isocaloric diet, containing more of its energy from fat and less from starch, provided that the degradability of the starch is reduced by the substitution of half the corn with milo. Body condition score was improved with the higher starch treatments (treatments 3 and 4), vs. the isocaloric diet (treatment 2), containing more of its energy from fat and less from starch.

TABLE 8 Phase II (4-12 weeks post-calving) Influence of the timing, processing and source of starch feeding on performance of cows in early lactation. 28% Starch 20% Starch 28% Starch Fine Ground Standard Fine Ground Corn Fine Ground Corn Corn and Milo Error (1) (2) (3) (4) Treatment 2 3 4 Milk Kg/head/day 44.2 44.4 43.9 0.837 — — — — Fat Corrected Milk 36.9b 34.9a 37.5b 0.673 .03 .17 .03 .01 Kg/head/day Milk Fat % 2.96b 2.64a 2.98b 0.0828 .01 — .01 .01 Fat Kg/head/day 1.28b 1.14a 1.32b 0.0361 .01 — .01 .01 Protein % 2.84 2.83 2.82 0.0334 — — — — Protein Kg/head/day 1.26 1.24 1.25 0.0262 — — — — Average Daily 0.275 0.258 0.071 0.119 — .16 — — Gain Kg Dry Matter 21.4 20.4 21.4 0.414 .13 — .06 .12 Intake Kg Body Score 2.39a 2.67b 2.57b 0.0599 .01 — .01 — PR > F if <.20 for: (1) Treatment (2) Treatment by Parity (3) Treatment 2 vs 3 (4) Treatment 3 vs 4 Means in the same row not followed by a common letter differ(P < .05) using LSD procedure.

Conclusions

Phase I (0-3 Weeks Post Calving):

-   -   While substituting half of the ground corn with corn flour in         the diet of cows fed for the first 3 weeks post-calving, did not         significantly affect production in the first 3 weeks, there was         a tendency for carry-over improvements in milk yield over the         next 9 weeks (4-12 weeks post-calving. See FIG. 1). A likely         reason for this response not being statistically significant,         may have been due to a tendency (P<0.09) for a lower DMI with         the corn flour treatment (diet B), during the first 3 weeks         post-calving. The depressed DMI may have been due to exceeding         the optimum of ruminally degraded starch in the diet for the         first 3 weeks post-calving.

Phase II (4-12 Weeks Post Calving):

-   -   The depression in FCM and milk fat percentage and yield (See         FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), created by feeding excessive amounts of         ruminally degraded starch (treatment 3), was corrected by         replacing half of the corn with the more slowly ruminally         degraded starch source, milo. The level of FCM and milk fat         production observed with the milo treatment (treatment 4), was         similar to that observed with the lower starch, higher fat         treatment (treatment 2), suggesting that a high starch diet can         perform as well as an isocaloric diet, containing more of its         energy from fat and less from starch, provided that the         degradability of the starch is reduced by the substitution of         half the corn with milo. The improvement in FCM and milk fat         production, with the milo treatment, was accomplished without         compromising milk protein production (See FIG. 5).

EXAMPLE 2

To better determine the dietary levels of starch needed for

Phase II (weeks 4-12) 12 Holstein cows were subjected to three treatments in one period of feeding. The animals were allowed to adjust to diets for a minimum of two weeks once full treatment feed intake was achieved. During the adjustment phase, feed offerings and refusal were measured daily, but no samples collected. After completion of the adjustment period, feed, milk, urine and feces samples were collected for five days. All animals were fed the assigned diets according to the proportions shown in Table 9. Table 10 shows the composition of the treatments used.

TABLE 9 Treatments 1 2 3 % of Dry Matter Ration A 30 Ration B 43.3 Ration C 56.7 Alfalfa Hay 52.5 42.5 32.5 Silage 17.5 14.2 10.8

TABLE 10 Ration % Forage % Starch A 70  7 B 57 17 C 43 27

Alfalfa hay was from a consistently homogenous supply and the diets were offered three times daily. Forage silage and alfalfa hay were fed as a mix.

Animals had diets available to them at all times (offered three times daily) but dry matter intake among all animals was not allowed to vary by more than 0.5% of body weight during the collection week. Dry matter intakes were fixed three days prior to and during the five day collection period. During the five days, composite was made of daily subsamples of each dietary ingredient (rations and forage mix) collected during each proceeding day of the collection period.

Samples of feces, milk and urine were collected at a constant percentage daily from each animal during the five days. A five day composite was constructed for each animal.

A summary of the results of this Example are included in Table 11 set forth below.

TABLE 11 Influence of Three Ratios of Dietary Fiber:Starch in Lactating Cows in Mid-Lactation (Phase II). Least Squares Treatment Means Stan- dard ADF₁:Starch 33:7% 28:17% 22:27% Error (1) (2) (3) Milk, kg/day 22.8 27.8 30.7 2.77 — .11 — F.C.M. kg/day 20.2 25.0 24.2 1.61 .15 .15 .20 Fat, kg/day 0.737a 0.926b 0.793ab 0.0420 .04 — .02 Protein, kg/day 0.655 0.831 0.857 0.0585 .10 .07 — Dry Matter Intake, 22.4 19.8 22.3 1.06 — — .10 kg/day Nitrogen Intake, 0.674 0.596 0.645 0.0317 — — .15 kg/day Milk Nitrogen % of 17.6a 25.2b 23.3ab 1.72 .05 .07 .07 Intake Gross Energy 98.3 86.9 98.2 4.58 — — .09 Intake Megacalories Digested Energy, 2.82a 2.89ab 3.04b 0.0487 .07 .03 — Megacalories/ Kg Dry Matter Retained Energy, 45.3 40.6 47.6 2.01 .13 — .06 % of Gross Energy Milk Energy, % of 15.1a 21.7b 18.1ab 1.17 .02 .14 .01 Gross Energy ₁ADF—Acid Detergent Fiber PR > F if <.20 for: (1) Treatment (2) Linear (3) Deviation from Linear Means in the same row not followed by a common letter differ (P < .05) using LSD procedure.

As can be seen from Table 11 above, milk fat production was greatest for the intermediate (17%) starch containing diet. A linear effect of increasing dietary starch levels resulted in increasing milk protein production, but the difference between the 17% and the 27% starch containing diets was small.

The conversion of dietary nitrogen into milk nitrogen (milk nitrogen, % of intake) was greatest with the intermediate (17%) starch containing diet.

While increasing levels of dietary starch resulted in the linear increase in the digestible energy content of the diet, milk energy as a percent of gross energy was greatest (P=0.01), and retained energy as a percent of gross energy was lowest (P=0.06) with the 17% starch containing diet.

Conclusions

Even though increasing levels of dietary starch in the diet caused an increase in the energy density of the diet, there was an optimal level of dietary starch (17%) that promoted the greatest amount of energy deposition into milk energy. The two sub-optimum dietary starch levels (7% and 27%), on either side of the optimum level, diverted more energy into retained energy (body stores) and away from milk energy. At an assumed ruminal degradability of 60% of starch intake, this optimum level would equate to a level of approximately 10% of ruminal degradable starch, as a percent of dry matter intake.

EXAMPLE 3

This Example evaluates four levels of dietary starch (10, 18, 26 and 34%), utilizing consistent dietary and experimental conditions, in an attempt to test for non-linear effects on rumen function and digestibility. No attempt was made to add fat to maintain all diets isocaloric, to avoid the interaction from potential ruminal fat effects.

Four ruminally fistulated steers and four intestinally fistulated steers were housed and fed in a tie stall area.

Four treatments were applied to each group of four steers in a 4×4 Latin Square design set forth below.

Ruminally Intestinally Fistulated Fistulated Steer # Steer # 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Period Treatment Assignment I 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 II 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 III 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 IV 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Diets were fed as total mixed rations described in Tables 12 and 13.

TABLE 12 Treatments 1 2 3 4 % of Diet Dry Matter Ration A 55 Ration B 55 Ration C 55 Ration D 22.5 55 Alfalfa Hay 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.5 Dual Purpose 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.5 Silage

TABLE 13 Treatment % Starch Starch Source 1 10 Fine Ground Corn 2 18 Fine Ground Corn 3 26 Fine Ground Corn 4 34 Fine Ground Corn

Once animals were on full treatment feed, dry matter intakes did not vary by more than 0.4% of body weight. Each period, the animals were allowed to adjust to the diets for a minimum of two weeks once full treatment feed intake was achieved.

Composites were made of daily subsamples of the dietary ingredients equal duodenal, ileal and rumen fluid samples and bacteria samples were collected and analyzed. The results of the analysis are listed in Table 14 set forth below.

TABLE 14 Nutrient digestibility (“Dry Matter basis”, unless noted differently) Standard % Starch 10 18 26 34 Error (1) (2) (3) (4) Dry Matter Intake kg/day 7.89 7.55 7.80 7.62 0.197 — — — — Nitrogen Intake, kg/day 0.233 0.222 0.227 0.221 0.00544 — — — — Nitrogen Microbial 0.0906 0.0802 0.0817 0.0819 0.00495 — — — — Duodenal, kg/day Microbial Efficiency 23.8 19.5 20.0 22.2 1.94 — — .15 — grams nitrogen/kg feed organic matter digested Nitrogen Digested, % of 70.3a 73.0b 70.7ab 68.8a 0.620 .03 .05 .02 .13 Intake Gross Energy Intake MCAL 34.6 33.7 34.8 34.3 0.860 — — — — Digestible Energy, 3.10a 3.34b 3.26ab 3.16ab 0.0617 .15 — .04 — Megacalories/kg Dry Matter Neutral Detergent 3.71c 3.09b 2.76b 2.09a 0.0955 .01 .01 — — Fiber Intake, kg/day Neutral Detergent 46.7 54.3 44.7 35.2 5.94 — .14 — — Fiber Rumen Digested, % of Intake Neutral Detergent 22.0b 22.7b 15.0ab 9.7a 2.16 .03 .01 — — Fiber digested in Rumen, % Dry Matter Intake Neutral Detergent 62.8b 64.2b 56.3ab 44.3a 3.98 .05 .01 .15 — Fiber Digested, % of Intake Starch Wenger 0.96a 1.43b 2.04c 2.75d 0.0677 .01 .01 .14 — (Enzymatic) Starch Intake, kg/day Starch digested in 3.77a 11.39ab 16.02bc 22.37c 2.13 .01 .01 — — Rumen, % Dry Matter Intake Starch Digested % of Intake 95.7a 96.9ab 97.7b 97.3ab 0.552 .13 .05 — — PR > F if <.20 for: (1) Treatment (2) Linear (3) Quadratic (4) Cubic Means in the same row not followed by a common letter differ (P < .05) using LSD procedure.

Neither dry matter intake, protein nitrogen (N) intake, microbial protein flow to the small intestine or efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were affected by any of the treatments.

While gross energy intake was similar across treatments, there was a quadratic effect (P=0.04) by treatment on digestible energy, with the two intermediate starch levels supporting the greatest digestible energy density (mcal/kg) (Table 14).

Starch intake increased with increased starch level in the diet, resulting in increasing levels of ruminally degradable starch ranging from a low of 3.8% to a high of 22.4% of dry matter intake. While total starch digestibility was increased linearly (P=0.05) by increasing dietary starch, the differences were biologically unimportant (Table 14).

Neutral detergent fiber intake decreased with increasing starch levels, as expected. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestion (% of neutral detergent fiber intake) was numerically greatest with the 18% starch treatment. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestion (% of dry matter intake) and total tract neutral detergent fiber digestion (% of neutral detergent fiber intake) were greatest (P=0.01) for the two lowest starch treatments (Table 3).

Conclusions

The data in Table 14 show that optimal levels exist for ruminal starch degradability that maximize ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility was maximized at levels of ruminal degradable starch below 16.02% of dry matter intake with the highest numerical ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility, protein nitrogen digestibility and digestible energy concentration occurring at 11.39% of dry matter intake as ruminal degradable starch. At these lower levels of ruminal starch degradability, microbial protein synthesis was not adversely affected. Therefore, at levels of ruminal degradable starch below 16.02% conditions were optimal for neutral detergent fiber digestibility, which should in turn create conditions that are optimal for synthesizing milk fat in lactating dairy cattle.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for increasing at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake of a cow, the method comprising: determining, in a first step, at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake in the cow fed a feed ration comprising ruminally digestible starch in relation to dry matter of the feed; selecting a suitable starch component with a target rumen digestibility value of the starch component in relation to the dry matter to increase or decrease a ruminal starch digestibility value of the ruminally digestible starch; reformulating the feed using said selected starch, wherein said feed is reformulated to increase the at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake; and determining, in a second step, at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake in the cow fed the reformulated feed.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the starch component comprises at least one of adjusting a rate of the ruminal digestibility of the selected starch component or adjusting an amount of the ruminal digestibility of the selected starch component.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting at least one of the rate or the amount of the ruminal digestibility comprises one or more of: grinding, steam flaking, steam rolling or extruding the starch component.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting at least one of the rate or the amount of ruminal digestibility comprises one or more of: chemically protecting the starch from ruminal digestibility or physically protecting the starch from ruminal digestibility.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more of chemically and physically protecting the starch from ruminal digestibility comprises one or more of aldehyde treatment, heat treatment, resin treatment, addition of binders or addition of coatings.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the ruminally digestible starch component comprises combining with the selected starch component one or more starch sources differing in ruminal starch digestibility from the selected starch component.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the ruminally digestible starch component comprises including with the starch component one or more of non-fiber carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, soluble carbohydrates or soluble fiber.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining comprises determining the milk fat production, and wherein selecting comprises increasing or decreasing the ruminal digestibility of the starch component to the target ruminal digestibility value.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the feed is reformulated for a lactating cow.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the target rumen digestibility value or the ruminal starch digestibility value is measured by in vitro methods.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the target rumen digestibility value or the ruminal starch digestibility value is measured by spectrophotometric methods.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the target rumen digestibility value or the ruminal starch digestibility value is measured by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the increased or decreased ruminal starch digestibility value ranges from 10 to 18 weight percent as a percentage of dry matter intake.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the increased or decreased rumen starch digestibility value ranges from 12 to 20 weight percent as a percentage of dry matter intake.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the increased or decreased rumen starch digestibility value ranges from 14 to 22 weight percent as a percentage of dry matter intake.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the target rumen digestibility value or the ruminal starch digestibility value is measured by in situ methods.
 17. A method for increasing ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility or dry matter intake of a ruminant, the method comprising: determining a ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility or dry matter intake in the ruminant, the ruminant fed a feed ration comprising a starch component at a first ruminal starch digestibility value and a neutral detergent fiber component; selecting a second ruminal starch digestibility value of the starch component for the ruminant based on the determined ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility or the dry matter intake, the selected ruminal starch digestibility value differing from the first ruminal starch digestibility value; reformulating the feed to the selected ruminal starch digestibility value using the starch component, wherein the reformulated feed is to increase the ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility or dry matter intake in the ruminant; and determining a ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility or dry matter intake in the ruminant fed the reformulated feed.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the selected ruminal starch digestibility value is in a range of about 11 percent to about 16 percent as a percentage of dry matter intake.
 19. A method for increasing at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake of a ruminant, the method comprising: determining at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake in the ruminant, the ruminant fed a feed ration comprising a starch component at a first ruminal starch digestibility; selecting a second ruminal starch digestibility value of the starch component for the ruminant, the selected ruminal starch digestibility value differing from the first ruminal starch digestibility value; reformulating the feed to the selected ruminal starch digestibility value using the starch component, wherein the reformulated feed is for increasing at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake in the ruminant; and determining at least one of milk production, milk fat production or dry matter intake in the ruminant fed the reformulated feed.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein reformulating the feed further comprises combining one or more starch sources. 